oSATCo App Development:
Data Collection

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Objectives

Data was collected for the purpose of:

SATCo

  • Cross sectional study
    • Objective: train neural network on a wide range of children
  • Longitudinal study
    • Objective: check repeatability and reliability of oSATCo results

Functional assessments

  • Objective: compare outcomes from SATCo and functional assessments

Project objectives:

1. Acquisition of a substantial cross-sectional dataset demonstrating the range of problems of trunk control in children with CP.
2. Acquisition of a cross-sectional dataset demonstrating a sample of problems of trunk control in children with SMA1.
3. Acquisition of a longitudinal dataset of children quantifying trunk control status to provide sufficient data to plan appropriately powered clinical trials using the tool.
4.Acquisition of an exploratory cross-sectional dataset defining the range of problems of trunk control in children with neuromuscular disorders including congenital myopathy, congenital muscular dystrophy, SMA type 2 and Duchennemuscular dystrophy to aid understanding of the natural progression of these conditions and enhance management.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

  • Children with 
    • clinical diagnosis of CP, 2-16 years old.
    • genetically confirmed SMA1 diagnosis, 3 months-16 years old.
    • genetically confirmed diagnosis of NMD, 2-16 years old
  • Parents/guardians with capacity to give consent.

Exclusion criteria

  • SMA1 children who are on mechanical ventilation ≥16 hours per day or deemed clinically unfit to participate.
  • Both parents/guardians do not have sufficient understanding of English to give consent.
  • Children who pose a physical risk to themselves or the research team.
A woman and a child stand before a doctor, who is measuring the girl's height with a measuring tape.

Patient Identification, Recruitment, and Consent

Participant identification by:

  • CP: Community paediatric physiotherapists
  • SMA and NMD: Neuromuscular consultants and physiotherapists.

Parent/Guardian contact with:

  • Letter of invitation sent by the care team
  • Information packs given in routine clinical appointment

Once parent/guardian demonstrated interested:

  • Data collection date and room arrangement between parent/guardian, care team, and data collection team
  • Informed Consent signed before data collection

Baseline Data

We collected the following baseline data from the participants:

  • Age
  • Body height or length
  • Body weight
  • Medical record
    • Main diagnosis
    • Relevant medical history
    • Classification, for CP: GMFCS and clinical type
  • SATCo
  • Functional assessment
    • CP
      • GMFM-Research Item Set (carried out by research team on site)
    • SMA
      • SMA Reach (provided by clinical staff from sites)
    • NMD
      • CHOP-INTEND, NSAA, etc (provided by clinical staff from sites)
A young boy seated at a table, focused on an activity, with a thoughtful expression on his face.
A young boy seated at a table, focused on an activity, with a thoughtful expression on his face.

What was involved in the data collection process?

Experimental setup
  • Location
    • hospitals, clinics, schools, community centers, MMU
  • Travel
    • rental cars, trains, and taxi
  • Equipment set up
    • duration 30 mins
    • mobile set up: laptop, camera, tripods, bench, harnesses, toys
    • no markers are attached to the child
  • SATCo
    • duration 10-50 mins
  • Functional assessment 
    • CP only: GMFM, duration 10-30 mins

How far did we travel for the project?

We travelled across England’s Northwest, West Midlands, and Yorkshire and the Humber regions to collect data.

External Data Collection Sessions:> 100
Miles Travelled:> 6000 miles
Partnered Sites
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
Seashell
England Northwest Travel for Data Collection image

We recruited 179 participants for the cross-sectional study.

We recruited 32 participants for the longitudinal study. Each participant took part in two to five sessions.

What barriers were faced during the data collection process?

  • Cancelled Appointments
  • Illnesses/hospital admissions
  • Space restraints (community)

Special Acknowledgements

  • Family of participants
  • All involved staff members